Vitamin A, also called retinol, helps your eyes adjust to light changes when you come in from outside and also helps keep your eyes, skin and mucous membranes moist. Vitamin A mostly comes from animal foods, but some plant-based foods supply beta-carotene, which your body then converts into Vitamin A. It also has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals in the body that cause tissue and cellular damage.
Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency :
1. Acne
2. Keratinization of the skin and mucous membranes
3. Dry coarse skin
4. Night blindness
5. Achy, tired, burning, itching eyes
6. Inflamed eyelids
7. Eyeball pain
8. Xerophthalmia (a dry and thickened condition of the conjunctiva)
9. Dull lusterless hair
10. Dandruff
These are a few examples of benefits of vitamin A to us:-
1. It can improve skin condition like acne or psoriasis Act as anti-oxidant, helping to protect our cells against cancer and other disease
2. Vitamin A improves our vision and prevents night blindness
3. This vitamin promotes formation of strong bones
4. Vitamin A guards us against bacterial, viral, parasitic infections
5. Guards us against heart disease, stroke and lowers blood cholesterol level
6. inator, vitamin A reduces fine lines in the skin and helps fade age spots.
7. Vitamin A supplements may help kids who have respiratory problem
8. The supplement is also believed to help people suffering from glaucoma and measles.
Side Effects of Vitamin A
These may include nausea, irritability, hair loss, bone and muscle pain, headache, liver damage, increase in lipid concentrations, skin changes, dryness, itchiness, menstrual problems, vomiting and headaches.
Read more on http://www.getallabout.com/vitamins/vitamins/vitamin-a.htm
Sources of Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be obtained from various animal and plant sources. Animal sources include liver, beef, egg, milk, cheese, yogurt, margarine etc. Plant sources include carrots, sweet potatoes, carrot juice, vegetable soup, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, apricots, oatmeal, cereal, tomatoes, oranges, papaya, peaches etc.
Before taking any nutritional supplement, it is advisable to consult a registered medical practitioner. High doses of the nutrient are not recommended for children, pregnant and nursing women. The nutrients must be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Retinol has the tendency to be destroyed by light and high temperatures. Vegetables rich in Beta- carotene must be soaked in water for long periods since the nutrients can be lost like that.
People on a low fat diet, alcohol or consuming high quantities of polyunsaturated fatty acids require higher than usual dose of Vitamin A. For best effects take Vitamin A with B group vitamins, C, D, E, choline, calcium, essential fatty acids, zinc and phosphorus.
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